Apparatus for applying soft-metal linings to hard-metal tubes



Feb. 25, 1930. w, R, SMITH 1,748,851 I APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SOFT METALLININGS T0 HARD METAL TUBES Filed Jan. 1929 BY W Va,

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 25, 1930 UNITED STATES.

PATENT: OFFICE WARREN n; smrrn, or nmonwoon, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TOCHEMICAL EQUIP- KENT MANUFACTURING COMI'AN Y, NEW JERSEY OF TA'IERSON,NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION APPARATUS r01; nrrmzma SOFT-METAL LININGS r0HARD-METAL TUBES Application filed January 4, 1s29. se'ria1 No. 330,384.

This invention relates to the art of metal lining, and refers moreparticularly to an mproved method of and apparatusfor applying a softmetal lining, such as lead, to a hard ing a coating to anarticle whetherof tubular 10 or solid formation.

The present invention comprehends an 1mproved method of applylng a softmetal lining to ahard metal tube which broadly consists in subjectingthe interior of the tube progressively to a confined bath of the llmngsubstance while the bathis initially subjected to a heating action andsubsequently to a cooling action so that the bath is gradually decreasedin temperature until the same .20 finally solidifies and adheres to theinterior of the tube to form the lining.

The invention further contemplates a method of and an apparatus for thepurpose specified by virtue of which the lining operation is continuousand hence more rapid for the purpose of effecting a saving in t me.

and labor and a resultant economy in the production of the lined tube. I

The invention further embodies an apparatus for and a method of applyingasoft metal lining to a hard metal tube or the like whichnecessitates nofinishing operation for obtaining a uniformity and smoothness of thesurface of the lining.

Other features of the invention reside in the provision of an apparatusfor facilitating the application of a soft metal lining to a hard metaltube or the like, which apparatus is extremely simple in itsconstruction and mode of use, inexpensive to manufacture, install andmaintain and which is highly efficient in its purpose.

With the above recited and other objects in view, reference is had tothe following description and accompanying drawings, in which there isexhibited one example or embodiment of the invention, while the claimsdefine the actual scope of the same.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through an apparatus constructedinaccordance with .the invention and illustrating the lining operation.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view therethrough taken approximately onthe line indicated at 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner inwhich the lining operation is started.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, and moreparticularly to the apparatus employed, a core member 5 having a reducednose 6 at its meeting end is provided, which core member for the majorportion of its length conforms substantially to the cross sectionalconfiguration of tube-A to be lined.

The core member is of a reduced diameter or cross sectional area withrespect to the tube A, the reduction in size being determined: by thethickness of the lining B which it 'is' desired. toapply to the tube A.At or adjacent the juncture of the leadmg end or nose 6 with theremainder of the core 5, a-plurality of radialoutwardly projecting guidelugs 7 are provided which are deslgned to engage with the bore of thetube A or the purpose of centering the core and guiding the sameconcentrically through the tube A. Suitable means is connected with thenose 6 and leads therefrom through the tube A for the purpose ofadvancing the core axially through the tube or for the purpose ofholding the core stationary while the tube is relatively moved withrespect to the core. Said means may be in the form of a stem 8 or itsequivalent. In order to provide round the tube A adjacent thefollowingportion of the core for directing radially inward the jets of coolingfluid. In practice, the

heating and cooling mediums are separated and insulated from each otherby annular cooling flanges 11.

In operation, the core 5 and the tube A may be initially positionedupright on a supporting surface S and a spacing ring R surrounding thecore may be used to center the lower end, as illustrated in Figure 3.The lining substance C in a molten state is then introduced to the upperend of the tube to the necessary amount for the lining operation, itbeing understood that the inner surface or bore of the tube has beenpreviously prepared or treated with a substance which will cause thelining material to adhere thereto. After the required time for thecooling element or elements 10 to cause the coating substance to adhereto the inner surface of the tube adjacent the rear or following portionof the core, the core and the heating and cooling elements are advancedsimultaneously upwardly and progressively so that the lower end of thebath has its temperature gradually reduced to cause the lining substanceto solidify onto the inner surface of the tube A. By advancing the coreand heating and cooling elements at a defined rate of speed, the liningwill be applied uniformly and evenly throughout the entire length of thetube so that no finishing operation will be required.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the method employed consistsessentially in subjecting the interior of the tube progressively to aconfined bath of lining substance while the bath is initially subjectedto a heating action to maintain the same in a molten state andsubsequently to a cooling action to cause the same to solidify whileconfined between the core and the inner surface of the tube. While thecore and heating and cooling elements are described as being movedrelatively to the tube, it is obvious that within the scope of theinvention the tube may be moved relatively with respect to the core andheating and cooling elements.

From the foregoing, it will thus be seen that an apparatus and methodhave been devised for facilitating the application of a soft metallining, such as lead, to hard metal or steel tubes or the like, byvirtue of which the lining operation is continuous and the lining whichis produced uniform, without the necessity of subsequent finishingoperations.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for applying a soft metal lining to a hard metal tubecomprising a core of less cross sectional area than and of the samecross sectional configuration as the tube,

which core and tube are adapted for relative.

axial movement, means for progressively effecting the heating and thecooling of the tube exteriorly coincident with the leading and followingportions of the core, said core having areduced nose at its leading endand which core and tube are adapted for relative axial movement, meansfor progressively effecting the heating and the cooling of the tubeexterlorly coincident with the leading and following portions of thecore, said core having a reduced nose at its meeting end and means atthe juncture of the reduced meeting end with the remainder of the corefor centering the core on the tube, said means consisting of a pluralityof circumferentially spaced radially projecting lugs engageable with thebore of the tube.

\VARREN R. SMITH.

